Hair clip



Feb. 28, 1939. F. FUSCALDO ET HAIR CLIP Filed Feb. 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb- 28, *1939- F. FUscALDo ET AL 2,149,214

HAIR CLIP Filed Feb. 24, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lill/lll Patented Feb. 28,1939

PATENT OFFICE HAIR CLIP Frank sumado and Archibald' ram.' chicago, Ill.; said Parks assixnor to said Fuscaldo Application Februar-yu, 1931, semi No. 121,397

11 Claims.

This inventionrelates to clips or pins employed by hairdressers, known in the trade as Bobby" pins or hair clips.

One ofthe objects of the invention is the pro- 5 vision of new and improved Bobby" pins or hair ri5 worn by the user.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a clip or pin that is simple in construction, composed of few parts, easily applied or removed from the hair, inexpensive to manufacture 20 and that is not likely tor get out of order or become broken or distorted while in use.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accomg5 panying drawings in which Fig.V 1 is a plan view of the device on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3 but lshowing `a modified form of construction;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a further modified form of construction;

g5- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the hinge elements shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of construction;

Fig. 8 is an explodedview of the construction shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of a different form of construction;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation thereof; Fg. 11 is a section on the line I I-II of Fig. 10;

45 Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2I2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a cross-section of the arms as shown in Figs. 9 and 10; and A Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 but showing a modified form of the finger elements.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference character I designates a hair clip which, for convenience of description, may be termed a Bobby pin since this is the term used inthe trade for devices of this general construction.

u The clip .comprises a pair of finger or clip elements I I and I2 which are preferably straight at their outer ends and are adapted to engage each other and be normally resiliently held in engagement. 'I'hese finger or clip elements are movably connected together at, what for convenience of description will be termed', their inner or rear ends by any suitable means that will permit them to be separated against spring tension.

In the form (shown in Figs. l to 6) of the device selected to illustra one embodiment of the invention, thesel elemen s are pivotally connected together. The clip element II is provided at its inner end with an upwardly offset rearward ex tension I3 having, what for convenience of description will be termed, downwardly extending l5 ears I4 and I5. The clip element I2 is provided with upwardly Vextending ears I6 and I1y at its inner end which engage the outer sides of *the ears I4 and I5. These ears are provided with alignedlopenings through which a pivot pinL I8 20 extends. e

The clip or finger elements II and l2 are provided with what will be termed rearward extensions I! and 2i, respectively, which are employed for manipulating the fingery elements.

Suitable means, as a guard or shield, are provided for preventing the hair or the hair net from becoming entangled in these extensions when the clips or pins are removed. In the form of the de- I vice shown in Figs. 1 to 6, these extensions are 30 connected together by a curved connector member or guard 22 that will prevent the hair net or the hair from entering between these portions `when the hair clip is removed. Preferably, this connector member or guard 22 is integral with one 35 or both of the extensions and is resilient. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the clip element I2 extends rearwardly as at 2l vbeyond the pivot I8 and is turned upwardly and forwardly as at 23 for formingv a handle member 24 for manipulating 40 the clip. The handle member 24 is preferably so constructed that it will not only perform the function of a handle but will also resiliently hold the fingers or clip elements II and I2 in contact with each other. This is accomplished by turning the free end of the handle member downwardly as at 25 and extending the 4same through an opening 26 in the rear end of the extension I9. The end 25 extends downwardly and forwardly and makes a close iit in the opening 26 whereby it will con- 50 trol both the opening and closing of the clip.

vThe connector member 23 preferably extends upwardly and forwardly in order that pressure may more easily and more effectively be applied to said member adJacent its down-turned end for fiexingthe same for separating the fingers or clip elements I I and I2.

y In the use of the conventional hair clip or Bobby'f pin, great diiculty has been experienced in holdingthe same from turning in the fingers while it is being attached to the hair due to the oily material used in the treatmentv of the hair getting on the hands and fingers of the attendant in dressing the customers hair. In order to remedy this difcult, the handle portion 24 is made f comparatively wider than the clip elements II and I2, whereby turning is prevented. 'I'his is considered an important feature of the invention.

One of the clip elements, as the element I2 and its extension 2| are substantially in alignment whereby the clip will lie close to the head of the user without inconvenience or annoyance. The extension I9 is offset from the clip element II whereby said elements I I and I2 will normally be in vcontact throughout a greater portion of their lengths.

'I'he form of construction shown in Fig. 4 is the same as that just described except that the ears I6a and I1a of the clip element I2a are pro` vided with portions 21 and 28 punched inwardly f for engagement in corresponding openings in the ears I4a and I5a of the clip elements IIa for pivotally connecting said clip elements together.

In the form of construction shown in Fig. 5, the upper ends 29 and'3I of the ears I6b and I1b of the clip finger or element |2b are reduced and turned inward and engage in corresponding openf ings in the ears I4b and I5b of the fingers or clip'v As shown in Figs. 7 and s, the haivreiipor Bobby pin 32 comprises the fingers or clip elements 33 and 34 which 'are normally in engagement throughout a greater portion of their length as in the previous construction andA have rearward extensions 35 and 36. vThese extensions are connected together by a curved connector mem- 4 ber 31, which, in the form of theconstruction shown, is integral with the rearward extensions 35 and 36 of said clip element. The connector member 31 constitutes a hinge or pivot for the clip elements. It will thus be seen that by pressing the extensions 35 and 36 toward each other, the clip elements 33 and 34 will pivot or fuicrum about the curved member 31 for separating the fingers or clip elements. l l

Suitable means are provided for forminga shield or guard over the outer ends of the extensions '35 and 36 to prevent them from becoming entangled in the net or hair during` the removal of the clips. As shown, a flexible member 38 is employed for this purpose. vThe member 38 may be of any suitable material as fabric, braided metal strands, orthe like. The ends of the shield are connected to the extensions 35 and 36 by a pair of clips 39 and 4I. The clips 39 land 4I are preferably wider at their rear ends, as shown at 42, whereby the clips will constitute finger pieces for operating the Bobbyr pin and the wider end portions 42 will constitute means for preventing v this purpose.

the turning of the Bobby' pin wit-hm che angers while it is vbeing used.A The clipv element or fin- Y ger 34 has its rearward extension 36 in substantial alignment therewith, whereby it will lie flat against the scalpwithout discomfort whenin use as in the previously described construction.

In Figs. 9 to '13, inclusive, is shown the pre- Y y ferredform of construction. In this form of the device, the numeral 43 designates generally the hair clip which comprises a body portion 44 and the hair engaging yfingers 45 and 46. The body portion 44 comprises the hand pieces 41 and 48 which have hinge lugs 49 and 5I, respectively.

'I'hese lugs are pivotally connected together as by the pivot 52. The hand pieces 41 and 48 terminate at, what for convenience of description v,

may be termed, their forwaid ends in the fingers 45 and 46. j

The lingers 45 and 46 are rigid with. and offset fror', the hand pieces' 41 and 48. Preferably, each handle and the corresponding finger are in-v tegral and are connected together by the bent or connector portions and 5I). In cross-section, the fingers' 45 and 46 are concave-convex and areadapted to nest as shown in Fig. 13. By means of lthis arrangement, the hair is more firmly gripped and at the same time. the fingers are stiffened. Instead of having themv nestedr as shown in Fig. l2, they may be arranged with` 4the convexsuriaces in contact as shown at 45' and 46' in Fig. 4. The fingers 45 and 46 may be straight las the forms previously described but are preferably curved 'as shown in Fig. 10 so they will conform to the curvature of the head.

The hand pieces 41 and 48 have clips 53 and 54 which may be integral therewith and beneath which the ends of a shield or fiexible member 55 are insertedand clamped. This shield or member is curved outwardly whereby when the hand pieces 41 and 48 are pressed toward each other, the shield will fold outwardly. `By folding the shield outwardly,. thehair`will not be caught in the fold as -would likelybe the case should the shield fold vinwardly betweenthe finger pieces. The fiexible member 55 may be rubber or any other suitable material and functions to prevent the entrance of the hair or the' net into the space between the hand pieces.

AA suitable spring is provided for normally holding the fingers and 46 into yielding contact. As shown, a U-shaped spring 56 is employed for The connecting portion of the spring extends about the pivot 52 and has its ends terminating in burrs or bent or distorted portions 51 which engagethe ends of the hand pieces 41 and 48 for preventing the inward movement of the spring or movement toward the fingers during the use of the device. yThe pivot prevents outward .movement 4of the spring, Fig. 12.

It will thus be seen than in the usey of the hair clip, the hand pieces 41 and 48 are of such width that, when takentogether with the clips 53 and 54, the fingers will not slip or the device turn while being 1 held yand applied even though the hand pieces or handle be wet or oily. v

`It is thought. from the foregoing taken in connection with the accompanying drawings that the construction and operation of our device will be apparent to those skilled in the art and that changes in size, shape, proportion and-details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

' vWe claim as our invention:

`1. Aghair clip comprisinga pair of fclip finger elements, 'means movably connecting saidv elements together and constituting' a hinge CODneC- outer ends of the nger pieces, clips on said pieces tion between said elements, a spring for holding said elements in contact, said elements havingy extensions and a curvedl guard of smooth, iiat, exible, non-metallic material but slightly resilient for connecting said extensions. f

2. A hair clip comprising a pair of clip elements, means for pivotally connecting said elements together, a handle for\said clip, said handle being comparatively wide and terminating at its inner end in a looped portion.

3. In a hair clip, a pair of clip elements pivotally connected together and normally in contact throughout a large portion of their lengths at one end, one of said clip elements having an aligned rearward extension and the other having an otlset rearward'extension, and a looped member for connecting said extensions together. 4. A hair clip comprising a pair oi.' clip members, overlapping ears on said elements, interlocking connections between said ears, one of said elemets having a rearward extension provided with an opening through its free end, the other of said lelements extending rearwardly and then upwardly means for normally yieldingly holding said ilngers ing'said ngers in contact, and a shield extendingaround the rear ends 'of said hand pieces and secured thereto.

7. A hair clip comprising a pair of wide hand pieces, said clipshaving ears pivoted together, curved fingers rigid with said pieces, said ngers being concavo-convex in cross-section and normally nested, a exible shield curved about the yfor securing the ends of said shield, and a U- ends distorted fand engaging the ends of said hand pieces for holding said spring in position.

8. A hair clip comprising a pair of clip elements .pivotedtogether, said elements having portions extending rearwardly beyond the pivot, and loop means of non-metallic iexible material but slightly resilient forming a loop for preventing hair from entering between said elements at their inner ends.

l 9. lA hair clip comprising a pair of clip elements, means for normally resiliently holding said elements in contact, said elements having rearward projections normally out of contact and connected together at their outer ends by a nonmetallic flexible member but slightly resilient forming a loop in the plane of said elements for preventing entry of the hair between said projections.

10. A-hair clip comprising a pair of clip elements, means for normally resiliently holding said elements in contact, one of said elements having a rearward extension and the other having an for connecting the rear portions of said extensions together for preventing the entrance of hair between said extensions while in use, an end oi' said curved member extending over said odset rearthereof extending about the inner end of said clip and having its ends secured to said elements on the outer sides thereof for preventing the entrance 'of hair therebetween while in use.

FRANK FUSCALDO. ARCEIBAID PARKS.

' offset rearward extension, and a curved member 

